He let Claire wrap her arms around him. Bao, however, didn't relax, unbend or give any sign of being comforted. He taken aback at how much the gesture meant to him. After a long moment's hesitation he returned the gesture, sliding his arms around her waist and squeezing slightly, even though his eyes never left Amir.
He watched some what jealously as Mara and Jin were able to help Amir as he was not. This seemed to be a bit of a recurring theme tonight and it disturbed him greatly. He was simply going to have to work harder.
Once the two felines, one small and one very large, had settled in he excused himself to find several warm soft blankets. Once found he covered the three of them, very much wishing he could be of more help. He wasn't about to leave though. It didn't matter that Mara and Jin were right there, Bao wasn't going to be moved. At the very least some one was going to have to change the bags of blood, that was something cats could not do.
"I shall be fine thank you, I will just bring a chair in from the other room in a bit. If it is necessary."
He might just literally stand watch.
Like a Box of Chocolates... (invite only)
Mara, Jin, and Bao tumbled out of the car once they reached the manor. Mara turned to lift Amir from the back of the car where she and Jin had been sitting with him sprawled across them to find Jin already doing so.
Bao had driven like a maniac to get here. Mara and Jin had done their best to assess Amir's condition. It was dire. There was very little else to say aside from that. He needed blood and he needed it soon. And even after that it was a gamble as to whether or not he would be the same Amir they had known before.
Jin carried Amir into the Manor. Rupert met them at the door, his face professionally neutral as if people wandered randomly in every day with corpselike Clan-mates. Mara stepped closer to him.
"We need blood," she requested softly. "As quickly as you can possibly bring it to us."
That said she followed Jin quickly through the halls toward Amir's apartment by mutual unspoken consent. Not knowing when he would wake or how he would feel upon doing so, it seemed prudent to surround him with things that would be familiar to him. Or at least Mara hoped they would be familiar to him. Even she didn't understand the extent to which Subira had invaded his own mind and memories.
It saddened her to think that they had done this not so long ago. Back into Amir's apartment they went, only this time he was not nearly in such good condition. But, Mara thought with a tiny flicker of hope, this time might be the last in a long while. If Amir's gamble had worked out at all, he would be free.
Bao
13 years ago
Claire
13 years ago
Claire noticed that Bao did eventually return her embrace. She was worried about him. He appeared almost in shock. It was hard to tell with him; he wasn't exactly known for being very expressive. She also didn't know whether he wanted her to stay or go.
He refused her offer of finding them something to sit down on while they waited. She had been intent on keeping him company, as support if he found it helpful. Claire just wasn't sure that he did.
"Well let me know if you need anything else then." She turned to the other two. "Any of you."
Turning back to Bao, Claire squeezed his arm gently and spoke quietly to him. "If you need my blood, after giving you own, then I am happy to give it to you so that you can stay here and not need to hunt."
She didn't have quite the same issues with hunting anymore. Jacqueline tended to enjoy the activity and did it for the both of them.
Claire gave Bao one last look and turned to leave the room.
He refused her offer of finding them something to sit down on while they waited. She had been intent on keeping him company, as support if he found it helpful. Claire just wasn't sure that he did.
"Well let me know if you need anything else then." She turned to the other two. "Any of you."
Turning back to Bao, Claire squeezed his arm gently and spoke quietly to him. "If you need my blood, after giving you own, then I am happy to give it to you so that you can stay here and not need to hunt."
She didn't have quite the same issues with hunting anymore. Jacqueline tended to enjoy the activity and did it for the both of them.
Claire gave Bao one last look and turned to leave the room.
Mara
13 years ago
Mara slid from the bed and shifted forms again, looking back at Jin and smiling to see him curled against Amir. Once on the floor she turned her head to glare unblinking at Bao before shifting forms and standing.
"Thank you for all you've done Claire."
She wrung her hands together, not wanting to ask more of Claire but worried about Amir. "Usually... well, not that it's happened often, but when Amir has needed us, we have stayed outside in the living room."
Her Creator was fond of his privacy and she and Bao had rarely if ever remained in his bedroom with him out of respect. This was a special circumstance; Amir was hardly in danger now. There only remained a recovery of indeterminate length.
She looked pleadingly at Bao, who had some sort of understanding with Claire, whatever it might be. "Do you think you might... stay a while? Until he wakes?"
Mara raised her brows at her younger sibling. Not only could he not just stand there and stare at them but Claire was obviously looking at him for a response. Mara was tempted to kick him.
"Thank you for all you've done Claire."
She wrung her hands together, not wanting to ask more of Claire but worried about Amir. "Usually... well, not that it's happened often, but when Amir has needed us, we have stayed outside in the living room."
Her Creator was fond of his privacy and she and Bao had rarely if ever remained in his bedroom with him out of respect. This was a special circumstance; Amir was hardly in danger now. There only remained a recovery of indeterminate length.
She looked pleadingly at Bao, who had some sort of understanding with Claire, whatever it might be. "Do you think you might... stay a while? Until he wakes?"
Mara raised her brows at her younger sibling. Not only could he not just stand there and stare at them but Claire was obviously looking at him for a response. Mara was tempted to kick him.
Jin
13 years ago
Jin blinked as the blankets were placed over them. They tickled his nose. He hid his face in his paws for a moment or two, trying not to sneeze. Claire spoke of leaving and calling her if they needed anything and Bao appeared content to stand over them and watch the bed. Jin found that a little disturbing; he hated feeling like he was being watched. However, this was Bao's Creator and he'd put up with the fur rising on the back of his neck.
Mara changed and spoke, asking Claire to stay. Jin took the moment to crawl out from under the covers and slink down onto the floor. He rubbed up against her leg before easing back onto the bed, this time on top of the blankets. His fur was warm enough and he could keep Amir quite toasty this way as well. The arrangement could change when the Huntsman woke.
Mara changed and spoke, asking Claire to stay. Jin took the moment to crawl out from under the covers and slink down onto the floor. He rubbed up against her leg before easing back onto the bed, this time on top of the blankets. His fur was warm enough and he could keep Amir quite toasty this way as well. The arrangement could change when the Huntsman woke.
Bao
13 years ago
She meant to leave? That realization startled Bao who had been so intent on Amir he hadn't really processed what Claire was saying. Apparently, Mara had understood more and faster and was less than pleased with his response. What tipped the scales and made Bao act was Claire's offer of blood. That was quite touching.
He reached out and almost roughly pulled Claire to him, again wrapping his arms around her in an embrace. It was as demonstrative as he could possibly get right now, not with Mara and Jin and Amir in the room.
"I should rather you stay."
That was it and he just assumed she would.
"I shall find us something to sit on."
And with that Bao disappeared temporarily to fulfill that promise.
He reached out and almost roughly pulled Claire to him, again wrapping his arms around her in an embrace. It was as demonstrative as he could possibly get right now, not with Mara and Jin and Amir in the room.
"I should rather you stay."
That was it and he just assumed she would.
"I shall find us something to sit on."
And with that Bao disappeared temporarily to fulfill that promise.
Claire
13 years ago
Claire was not sure that she wanted to be here if Bao wished to be left alone. However, she was a doctor first and if Mara wanted her present for Amir's sake then she would stay. She could get a chair and leave Bao alone if that was his wish.
He reached out and pulled her back forcefully, once more wrapping his arms around her waist. Claire hid her happiness at the possessive gesture and embraced him again, holding him close. She looked at him a long moment before silently nodding assent to his wish.
When Bao exited to find them something to sit on, she lifted her gaze to watch him leave, a slow smile tugging at the corners of her lips. Composing her features once more, Claire turned back to Mara.
"As it seems that I am not in the way, then I'll stay."
She clasped her hands in front of her and waited patiently for his return. It didn't take long, Bao came back carrying two large cushions and arranged them on the floor. Once he was settled, Claire scooted close behind and to the side of him, spreading her dress neatly out over her curled up legs. She wrapped her arms around him again and laid her head on his shoulder. Perhaps in privacy she would have held him to her and comforted him more expressively but she knew that Bao wouldn't let that happen with others watching so she contented herself with this small display of endearment and support.
((OOC: Permission for Bao's actions.))
He reached out and pulled her back forcefully, once more wrapping his arms around her waist. Claire hid her happiness at the possessive gesture and embraced him again, holding him close. She looked at him a long moment before silently nodding assent to his wish.
When Bao exited to find them something to sit on, she lifted her gaze to watch him leave, a slow smile tugging at the corners of her lips. Composing her features once more, Claire turned back to Mara.
"As it seems that I am not in the way, then I'll stay."
She clasped her hands in front of her and waited patiently for his return. It didn't take long, Bao came back carrying two large cushions and arranged them on the floor. Once he was settled, Claire scooted close behind and to the side of him, spreading her dress neatly out over her curled up legs. She wrapped her arms around him again and laid her head on his shoulder. Perhaps in privacy she would have held him to her and comforted him more expressively but she knew that Bao wouldn't let that happen with others watching so she contented herself with this small display of endearment and support.
((OOC: Permission for Bao's actions.))
Mara
13 years ago
Mara huffed a short sigh as Bao finally seemed to understand her message. Between the two of them hopefully Claire felt slightly better, or at least appreciated. They managed to improvise some seating for themselves; Amir didn't have a lot in the way of furniture for guests. Mara, frankly, would have preferred to be alone in the dark of Amir's bedroom. She wasn't sure how he'd react to being surrounded when he did finally wake. She wasn't about to ask Bao to leave though, and Jin and Claire were there by their request.
There was nothing left to do but wait. Mara shifted forms again, rubbed her cheek briefly against Claire's hand, wrapped around Bao's waist, and hopped gently onto the bed. Leaning over Amir, she touched her nose to Jin's for a long moment and then settled herself back down against her Creator.
And waited.
There was nothing left to do but wait. Mara shifted forms again, rubbed her cheek briefly against Claire's hand, wrapped around Bao's waist, and hopped gently onto the bed. Leaning over Amir, she touched her nose to Jin's for a long moment and then settled herself back down against her Creator.
And waited.
Amir
13 years ago
Freezing and burning. All at once.
He was barely aware of his own consciousness. Something had happened. He was struggling. He was burning. He was freezing. He opened his mouth to scream but no sound issued forth.
He writhed restlessly, trying to escape the torment. He could move neither up nor down. He didn't care, at that point, which direction he went in. Death would be a release. He had thought it had already come.
Had he thought anything at all?
Something warm rested at his core. Something even warmer beside him. He turned to it, trying to stave off the cold, curling around himself in agony. He found the smaller heat source with his hand, reached for it, too, tried to pull it closer.
He opened his eyes after a very great struggle and saw darkness, and stars. He floated in a void. His eyes drifted closed again. Madness.
He clung to the rock-solid fire beside him. Everything else was drifting away.
He was barely aware of his own consciousness. Something had happened. He was struggling. He was burning. He was freezing. He opened his mouth to scream but no sound issued forth.
He writhed restlessly, trying to escape the torment. He could move neither up nor down. He didn't care, at that point, which direction he went in. Death would be a release. He had thought it had already come.
Had he thought anything at all?
Something warm rested at his core. Something even warmer beside him. He turned to it, trying to stave off the cold, curling around himself in agony. He found the smaller heat source with his hand, reached for it, too, tried to pull it closer.
He opened his eyes after a very great struggle and saw darkness, and stars. He floated in a void. His eyes drifted closed again. Madness.
He clung to the rock-solid fire beside him. Everything else was drifting away.
Jin
13 years ago
Amir moved. Jin turned his head to watch as the Huntsman struggled toward consciousness. Eventually he woke, his eyes opening briefly. Jin was not sure the man truly saw anything around him or perhaps he was not aware enough yet to make sense of it. Amir turned and wrapped his body around him, hands digging into white fur. Jin would have stayed there like that but the Huntsman needed more blood.
Amir was shockingly strong for one with so little blood; the hold on him was painfully tight. It made him realize that his determination to be the one to feed the Huntsman was the correct one. Amir was frightfully strong already, with more blood and healing there would be no getting away from him if, in his hunger, he could not stop drinking.
Shifting back into human form, he turned in Amir's tight grasp, helped by the smaller size and lack of fur to clasp. Jin leaned close and spoke softly.
"Amir, you are safe. At the Manor with your clan." He pressed himself close, realizing he offered less warmth this way. He brushed a gentle hand along the man's cheek, hoping to rouse him once more. "You need more blood. Will you wake and drink from me?"
Amir was shockingly strong for one with so little blood; the hold on him was painfully tight. It made him realize that his determination to be the one to feed the Huntsman was the correct one. Amir was frightfully strong already, with more blood and healing there would be no getting away from him if, in his hunger, he could not stop drinking.
Shifting back into human form, he turned in Amir's tight grasp, helped by the smaller size and lack of fur to clasp. Jin leaned close and spoke softly.
"Amir, you are safe. At the Manor with your clan." He pressed himself close, realizing he offered less warmth this way. He brushed a gentle hand along the man's cheek, hoping to rouse him once more. "You need more blood. Will you wake and drink from me?"
Bao
13 years ago
It was hard to admit, even to himself, but Bao took some comfort in Claire's touch. He was slightly surprised she'd be even that brazen. He was glad she was though. Bao did not often physically touch people, any one and so her support meant all that much more. And given Mara's response as her small slender feline form wrapped around him for a moment, he'd gotten the answer right.
There was nothing to do but sit and wait. Which is precisely what he did, not moving a muscle until Amir began to stir. Bao felt hope and relief surge through him. It was one thing to hear that Amir would recover it was another to see progress.
Without looking away from his maker Bao found Claire's hand and placed his over it in silent thanks.
There was nothing to do but sit and wait. Which is precisely what he did, not moving a muscle until Amir began to stir. Bao felt hope and relief surge through him. It was one thing to hear that Amir would recover it was another to see progress.
Without looking away from his maker Bao found Claire's hand and placed his over it in silent thanks.
Claire
13 years ago
Claire smiled down at the beautiful silver furred feline when the soft head bumped against her hand.
"Je t'en pris."
She stayed quietly wrapped around Bao, except for those times that one of them needed to get up and change the bag of blood. Always, when he returned to the cushion, Claire returned to wrapping her arms around him.
Amir stirred and she watched with interest at the signs of life. He was in pain; that was easy enough to read from his expression and cold, if his clutching at the warm things in the bed were any indication. The strength of his grip was encouraging. The human blood was already helping to mend bone and muscle in his hand. She supposed they would see how lucid he was in a bit, once he had enough blood to fully come to his senses.
Claire smiled at the hand on top of her's, squeezing Bao gently in response.
"Je t'en pris."
She stayed quietly wrapped around Bao, except for those times that one of them needed to get up and change the bag of blood. Always, when he returned to the cushion, Claire returned to wrapping her arms around him.
Amir stirred and she watched with interest at the signs of life. He was in pain; that was easy enough to read from his expression and cold, if his clutching at the warm things in the bed were any indication. The strength of his grip was encouraging. The human blood was already helping to mend bone and muscle in his hand. She supposed they would see how lucid he was in a bit, once he had enough blood to fully come to his senses.
Claire smiled at the hand on top of her's, squeezing Bao gently in response.
Mara
13 years ago
Mara, for her part, was a little afraid as Amir began to show signs of life. Perhaps it was her vantage on the bed but she could see him screaming. She couldn't hear though. There was only a strangled noise issuing forth. He reached one hand over and grabbed her almost painfully, dragging her halfway across him as he writhed in obvious agony. And then he turned to the biggest, warmest object on the bed.
Mara remained draped over Amir's side as Jin shifted forms. She heard his soft voice cajoling Amir into a slightly more wakeful state and she loved him all the more for his selflessness. She watched nervously as Jin shrugged out of his shirt, baring his neck to Amir.
Amir had to drink. Already he was thrashing about sufficiently to strain the needle in his arm. His wellness would depend on whether he could recognize what to do or not. She didn't dare shift forms to retrieve Jin's shirt for him. Right now there was one safe food source for Amir and he should go toward it. She didn't want to complicate matters for him.
Mara remained draped over Amir's side as Jin shifted forms. She heard his soft voice cajoling Amir into a slightly more wakeful state and she loved him all the more for his selflessness. She watched nervously as Jin shrugged out of his shirt, baring his neck to Amir.
Amir had to drink. Already he was thrashing about sufficiently to strain the needle in his arm. His wellness would depend on whether he could recognize what to do or not. She didn't dare shift forms to retrieve Jin's shirt for him. Right now there was one safe food source for Amir and he should go toward it. She didn't want to complicate matters for him.
Amir
13 years ago
Amir whimpered in despair as the warmth he'd reached for suddenly vanished. In its place he heard words, or he thought he heard words.
The voice was familiar, just barely. Had he known someone with this voice before? From when he was someone else?
He didn't understand what was being said. But an idea began to form.
Blood... drink...
He shoved away, or tried to. He didn't want more blood. No. He couldn't. It was killing him. The taste, the feel of it... he was cold enough.
Gradually though, he realized he was lying next to someone. There was actually someone here with him. Someone warm and living. Wherever 'here' was, he wasn't alone.
Amir moaned in agony, still burning from the inside out, still freezing. Struggling, he opened his eyes again. Stars. Endless stars. And then, two dark pools reflecting the endless sea of stars. Someone's eyes. Kind eyes.
More importantly, blood.
It didn't matter who was with him. They were warm and alive. Amir's body reacted where his confused and sluggish mind couldn't hope to. He forced his fingers loose from wherever they were clinging and pulled the warm body close to him. Working on sheer instinct he turned his head, found that there was a pulse there.
Blood, warm and living.
Amir struck without hesitation, his arm clamping tight around his meal. He drove his fangs into the pulsing vein before him and drank deeply. When it became obvious that whoever it was wasn't moving he relaxed marginally, moving his tongue against warm skin, pressing closer. Some clarity of thought returned as he drank, and drank. This blood was whole and alive and incredibly strong. It was life, it was a sensation Amir could not describe. He felt wetness upon his face as he desperately drew from that blazing life source, having been certain he would never taste anything like it again.
He drank for what seemed like forever. Suddenly it ended. And he had not ended it. He opened his eyes, saw something white and insubstantial before him. A name finally sifted to the front of his brain as he saw the fading detail in the face. Jin.
Amir mouthed the name, unable to make sound. He made an abortive move to reach out and failed. Sated, exhausted, cold, his hand simply collapsed as his body insisted on shutting down once more and he was plunged into involuntary nap time.
The voice was familiar, just barely. Had he known someone with this voice before? From when he was someone else?
He didn't understand what was being said. But an idea began to form.
Blood... drink...
He shoved away, or tried to. He didn't want more blood. No. He couldn't. It was killing him. The taste, the feel of it... he was cold enough.
Gradually though, he realized he was lying next to someone. There was actually someone here with him. Someone warm and living. Wherever 'here' was, he wasn't alone.
Amir moaned in agony, still burning from the inside out, still freezing. Struggling, he opened his eyes again. Stars. Endless stars. And then, two dark pools reflecting the endless sea of stars. Someone's eyes. Kind eyes.
More importantly, blood.
It didn't matter who was with him. They were warm and alive. Amir's body reacted where his confused and sluggish mind couldn't hope to. He forced his fingers loose from wherever they were clinging and pulled the warm body close to him. Working on sheer instinct he turned his head, found that there was a pulse there.
Blood, warm and living.
Amir struck without hesitation, his arm clamping tight around his meal. He drove his fangs into the pulsing vein before him and drank deeply. When it became obvious that whoever it was wasn't moving he relaxed marginally, moving his tongue against warm skin, pressing closer. Some clarity of thought returned as he drank, and drank. This blood was whole and alive and incredibly strong. It was life, it was a sensation Amir could not describe. He felt wetness upon his face as he desperately drew from that blazing life source, having been certain he would never taste anything like it again.
He drank for what seemed like forever. Suddenly it ended. And he had not ended it. He opened his eyes, saw something white and insubstantial before him. A name finally sifted to the front of his brain as he saw the fading detail in the face. Jin.
Amir mouthed the name, unable to make sound. He made an abortive move to reach out and failed. Sated, exhausted, cold, his hand simply collapsed as his body insisted on shutting down once more and he was plunged into involuntary nap time.
Jin
13 years ago
Jin gasped as Amir bit him hard. By contrast to the tight embrace he found himself in, Jin held the Huntsman lightly. He stroked his back gently, encouraging him to take what he needed. The fierce sensation of being drank this forcefully was overwhelming; no one had taken from him like this except his maker, with no restraint.
The tears were unexpected from Amir. They touched him; Jin held the man closer murmuring gently to him in Chinese, telling him that he was safe, that it was okay to take what he needed. Eventually he stopped speaking, the gentle touch of Amir's tongue against his skin causing him to loose the ability to focus.
He should pull away... the thought came to him but Jin couldn't manage to get up the urge to do so. It felt good, Amir needed it. Just a bit longer. Finally it was his own hunger and the weakening of his muscles that told him that he was in danger of allowing Amir to drink to much. The realization shocked him. Jin faded more quickly than he had intended.
Seeing recognition in Amir's eyes, Jin nodded, materializing again to gently squeeze the hand that tried to reach out. Tucking the blankets up higher on Amir's shoulder, he turned and looked around at the others, wishing there hadn't been so many witnesses to what was normally a very private experience.
The tears were unexpected from Amir. They touched him; Jin held the man closer murmuring gently to him in Chinese, telling him that he was safe, that it was okay to take what he needed. Eventually he stopped speaking, the gentle touch of Amir's tongue against his skin causing him to loose the ability to focus.
He should pull away... the thought came to him but Jin couldn't manage to get up the urge to do so. It felt good, Amir needed it. Just a bit longer. Finally it was his own hunger and the weakening of his muscles that told him that he was in danger of allowing Amir to drink to much. The realization shocked him. Jin faded more quickly than he had intended.
Seeing recognition in Amir's eyes, Jin nodded, materializing again to gently squeeze the hand that tried to reach out. Tucking the blankets up higher on Amir's shoulder, he turned and looked around at the others, wishing there hadn't been so many witnesses to what was normally a very private experience.
Bao
13 years ago
It was just as well he was far from Amir, his creator was starving. Still Bao would have given himself no matter the risk, but he had to admit this was better. Once satisfied that Amir was aware enough to remember what to do, to eat, to try and heal Bao stood and held out his had to Claire in invitation.
He did not expect her to take him up on the offer, she would need to see to her patient, ensure there was still blood for him and make certain Jin didn't suffer any ill effects. While he would miss her touch and the comfort she had provided Bao would almost prefer she stay here to take care of the others.
However, he was not needed just at this moment and did not want to make Jin or Mara uncomfortable. When they were ready he would provide for Jin, it was the least he could do, but for now he excused himself to the living area rather than the bed room.
He did not expect her to take him up on the offer, she would need to see to her patient, ensure there was still blood for him and make certain Jin didn't suffer any ill effects. While he would miss her touch and the comfort she had provided Bao would almost prefer she stay here to take care of the others.
However, he was not needed just at this moment and did not want to make Jin or Mara uncomfortable. When they were ready he would provide for Jin, it was the least he could do, but for now he excused himself to the living area rather than the bed room.
Claire
13 years ago
Claire was beginning to worry about Jin when he didn't move away from Amir. The amount of blood that the Huntsman was drinking with such a powerful draw had to be enough to start making the other man weak. Just when she thought they were going to have to pull Amir away, Jin became immaterial. She let out a breath she didn't know she had been holding.
Standing when Bao did, Claire leaned over the bed once more, Amir was again unconscious. She checked the needle and tube, making certain they were properly in place before turning to change out the bag of blood.
Jin appeared weak but stable. She placed a questioning hand on his arm. He nodded and gestured toward the room that Bao had moved to. Claire smiled at them both.
"Let me know if you need anything but I think from here on out our nature will the best healer. There's nothing more for me to do. Except to offer my blood when its needed." Speaking quietly she added. "Take from Bao first though. It must be terrible for him to feel there is nothing he can do to help his Creator." A sentiment she understood very well.
With a parting nod, Claire went out and joined Bao and the sofa, once more wrapping her arms around him.
Standing when Bao did, Claire leaned over the bed once more, Amir was again unconscious. She checked the needle and tube, making certain they were properly in place before turning to change out the bag of blood.
Jin appeared weak but stable. She placed a questioning hand on his arm. He nodded and gestured toward the room that Bao had moved to. Claire smiled at them both.
"Let me know if you need anything but I think from here on out our nature will the best healer. There's nothing more for me to do. Except to offer my blood when its needed." Speaking quietly she added. "Take from Bao first though. It must be terrible for him to feel there is nothing he can do to help his Creator." A sentiment she understood very well.
With a parting nod, Claire went out and joined Bao and the sofa, once more wrapping her arms around him.
Mara
13 years ago
Mara felt nothing but relief from her vantage point sprawled across Amir's side as he reached around, grabbed Jin, pulled him close, and fed himself. Jin's gasp drew her pale eyes to his face and she watched with concern; Amir had not been gentle. But it seemed to go all right. She listened, ears flicking back and forth, to Jin's gentle voice. Soon he stopped speaking and Mara began to grow concerned.
Amir was drinking deeply; they had known he would. But Jin was supposed to pull away. He wasn't supposed to let it go on too long, and to Mara the length of time seemed eternal while she waited, and waited, for Amir to stop or Jin to end it. Finally she reached out a paw, intending to do something to break them apart. Jin could not let this carry on much further.
As if he'd read her mind Jin suddenly faded away and Mara breathed another sigh of relief. Jin reappeared very soon, and she watched as Amir tried to reach out. Jin's hand met Amir's and then Amir was gone again. But this time, Mara thought, his sleep would be much more for healing. Claire and Bao left the room, and the three of them were alone.
Mara hopped lightly over Amir to where Jin was. She shifted back to her human form, her arms reaching for Jin, cradling him lovingly, leaning down to brush her lips to his.
"Are you all right? Come, we have to take care of you now, love."
Gratitude was plainly written on her face and in her eyes; only Jin could have safely given to Amir and he had done so with all the care and kindness Mara had grown to love about him. It was only fitting he receive care and kindness in return.
Carefully she helped him from the bed, pausing only to brush her fingers against Amir's face. Bringing Jin to the cushions Bao and Claire had so recently vacated, she sat, bearing him down with her, enfolding him in her arms, drawing him close. She shook her dark hair away from her neck.
"Drink from me, merit," she pleaded softly. "Take back some of what you've given to make my Creator strong again."
Mara hadn't thought it was possible to love Jin any more deeply but she was wrong. Very wrong.
Amir was drinking deeply; they had known he would. But Jin was supposed to pull away. He wasn't supposed to let it go on too long, and to Mara the length of time seemed eternal while she waited, and waited, for Amir to stop or Jin to end it. Finally she reached out a paw, intending to do something to break them apart. Jin could not let this carry on much further.
As if he'd read her mind Jin suddenly faded away and Mara breathed another sigh of relief. Jin reappeared very soon, and she watched as Amir tried to reach out. Jin's hand met Amir's and then Amir was gone again. But this time, Mara thought, his sleep would be much more for healing. Claire and Bao left the room, and the three of them were alone.
Mara hopped lightly over Amir to where Jin was. She shifted back to her human form, her arms reaching for Jin, cradling him lovingly, leaning down to brush her lips to his.
"Are you all right? Come, we have to take care of you now, love."
Gratitude was plainly written on her face and in her eyes; only Jin could have safely given to Amir and he had done so with all the care and kindness Mara had grown to love about him. It was only fitting he receive care and kindness in return.
Carefully she helped him from the bed, pausing only to brush her fingers against Amir's face. Bringing Jin to the cushions Bao and Claire had so recently vacated, she sat, bearing him down with her, enfolding him in her arms, drawing him close. She shook her dark hair away from her neck.
"Drink from me, merit," she pleaded softly. "Take back some of what you've given to make my Creator strong again."
Mara hadn't thought it was possible to love Jin any more deeply but she was wrong. Very wrong.
Jin
13 years ago
Jin nodded to Mara, still staring down at Amir. He watched the man sleep, taking in the rise and fall of his chest and the way his skin was regaining colour. Amir would be all right, physically at least. The wolf said that the chains were gone. The command. Would that be enough to make the Huntsman whole?
He followed Mara to the cushions, sinking gratefully down onto them. Jin sighed into her arms, resting his head against her shoulder for a moment. He shouldn't have waited so long to break the man's hold on him. Now he felt dizzy and weak. At least it was helping Amir. Jin knew that he still had control over himself or he'd have drank a batch of human blood before daring to touch Mara.
Turning his face toward his lover's warm neck, Jin kissed her softly. His tongue moved along the pulsing vein and he sucked gently on the spot before slowly sliding his fangs into her skin. Mara's taste, now familiar but all the more intoxicating, was potent, his senses were overwhelmed by it. Jin wrapped his arms around her, cradling her to him gently, never wanting to worry her, while he drank. The first few pulls were soft and then he drank more deeply before once more going back to a light touch, his tongue gently licking at the small wound.
When he was done, Jin leaned against her again and closed his eyes. "Thank you, Amaret. Now I will be fine."
He followed Mara to the cushions, sinking gratefully down onto them. Jin sighed into her arms, resting his head against her shoulder for a moment. He shouldn't have waited so long to break the man's hold on him. Now he felt dizzy and weak. At least it was helping Amir. Jin knew that he still had control over himself or he'd have drank a batch of human blood before daring to touch Mara.
Turning his face toward his lover's warm neck, Jin kissed her softly. His tongue moved along the pulsing vein and he sucked gently on the spot before slowly sliding his fangs into her skin. Mara's taste, now familiar but all the more intoxicating, was potent, his senses were overwhelmed by it. Jin wrapped his arms around her, cradling her to him gently, never wanting to worry her, while he drank. The first few pulls were soft and then he drank more deeply before once more going back to a light touch, his tongue gently licking at the small wound.
When he was done, Jin leaned against her again and closed his eyes. "Thank you, Amaret. Now I will be fine."
Mara
13 years ago
Jin's bite evoked memories of warm lovemaking, of many days spent sharing in each other's bodies and blood. To feed him now was a delicious sensation. She wrapped her arms around his waist, melting against him while he drank, glad to be able to contribute somehow, relieved beyond belief to know that Amir would survive and Jin was not harmed.
As he drank she whispered softly to him, words of love, words of thanks. Her lips were close to his ear so there was no need to raise her voice above the barest of murmurs. When he pulled away, licking at the punctures, she sighed, low and sweet, stroking his pale hair and holding him close.
"You," she said, tilting her head down and nuzzling his cheek, "Are a wonderful man, my Jing."
She looked back at the still form on the bed. Amir was still shaking. She disentangled herself reluctantly from Jin and kissed him softly once more. She crossed the room to Amir and slipped under one of the blankets covering him, just the top one. She squirmed close and wrapped her arms around him.
"He's so cold," she said softly, knowing Jin could hear her. "Even after drinking."
As he drank she whispered softly to him, words of love, words of thanks. Her lips were close to his ear so there was no need to raise her voice above the barest of murmurs. When he pulled away, licking at the punctures, she sighed, low and sweet, stroking his pale hair and holding him close.
"You," she said, tilting her head down and nuzzling his cheek, "Are a wonderful man, my Jing."
She looked back at the still form on the bed. Amir was still shaking. She disentangled herself reluctantly from Jin and kissed him softly once more. She crossed the room to Amir and slipped under one of the blankets covering him, just the top one. She squirmed close and wrapped her arms around him.
"He's so cold," she said softly, knowing Jin could hear her. "Even after drinking."
Jin
13 years ago
Jin sighed softly at her words, happy that Mara thought so highly of him. He would have helped Amir in the same fashion without him being his beloved's Creator. He respected and liked Amir and would not have wanted to see him harmed like this. It simply meant more that he could be of some help and comfort to Mara during such a trying experience as well.
Mara pulled away from him and went back to the bed. Jin understood her concern and rose to look down at the unconscious form. She was right, he would be cold. "His body is using it all to heal. He'll need a lot more before he's healthy again." That would make him cold, almost like a human digesting a large meal or healing from serious injuries. It was the same effect, blood was going to the important places and the body was working on healing, leaving everything else without heat.
Jin slid beneath all the covers on the other side of Amir. He spread himself almost on top of the Huntsman, covering Amir's chest with his bare one and letting the heat of his skin warm the man beneath him. Laying his head against Amir's shoulder, Jin turned face Mara. "We'll both help keep him warm."
Mara pulled away from him and went back to the bed. Jin understood her concern and rose to look down at the unconscious form. She was right, he would be cold. "His body is using it all to heal. He'll need a lot more before he's healthy again." That would make him cold, almost like a human digesting a large meal or healing from serious injuries. It was the same effect, blood was going to the important places and the body was working on healing, leaving everything else without heat.
Jin slid beneath all the covers on the other side of Amir. He spread himself almost on top of the Huntsman, covering Amir's chest with his bare one and letting the heat of his skin warm the man beneath him. Laying his head against Amir's shoulder, Jin turned face Mara. "We'll both help keep him warm."